Regional economic integration in Africa does not significantly boost economic upgrading in global value chains. However, past participation in these chains does have a positive impact. Labor productivity is a key factor in economic upgrading, with regional integration playing a weak but positive role. The East African Community and Southern African Customs Union show significant improvements in labor productivity due to regional integration, while the Economic Community of West African States does not. More efforts are needed to enhance the contribution of African regional economic communities to economic upgrading in global value chains.